Chick pea coconut and orange cake – Gluten free

I have a friend who is allergic to gluten.Each time,I would bake a cake,she couldn’t eat.This used to dishearten me as she loved cakes but couldn’t eat when everyone else was just becoz she was allergic.Then,I thought why not bake something new that is gluten-free.There came this idea of baking a gluten-free cake.The main ingredients that I have used are Bengal gram flour or the chick pea flour or besan(in India) which is wheat-free and gluten-free.This is ground from chick peas and has a strong slightly nutty taste. It is not generally used on its own.Along with gram flour or besan,I have used dessicated coconut powder.The result that came was tremendous.The flavours of orange and a super soft and moist textures made me drooling.I wish I couldn’t make you taste.In India,we use besan or gram flour for making kadhis,savoury recipes,halwas and curry. This cake makes a new add-on to the besan recipes.

Now,before you dribble,let me share the recipe so that you can bake them too.

Preparation Time:10 minutes (includes pre-heating the oven)

Baking Time:30 minutes

Cake size: 6”

Ingredients:

3/4 cup besan or gram flour or chick pea flour
1/4 cup dessicated coconut powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1 tsp fresh orange zest
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup home -made butter or malai
Procedure

Pre heat the oven at 200°C for 10 minutes.In a large bowl,separate the egg yolks and egg whites.Drop the egg yolks in large bowl and egg whites in small bowl.Sift the gram flour,baking powder and baking soda and add to large bowl.Add up rest of the ingredients coconut powder,orange zest,milk,homemade butter or malai and half of sugar in large bowl. Malai is the milk skins collected after boiling the milk.I collected it for 2 days.

Blend them using a hand blender or electric mixer until smooth and no lumps left.Gram flour has the tendency of forming lumps.So we need to whisk them carefully.
Now,in a small bowl,add rest of the sugar to the egg whites and beat them untill it forms soft peaks.It might take around 5-8 minutes to form soft peaks.So,we need to be a bit patient.Once the peaks have formed,add this white meringue to the large bowl and fold them slowly.We need to simply mix the mixture slowly and comfortably.
Pour this mixture in a cake tin and place the tin in the oven.Bake it for 30 minutes at 160°C.

Once done,check it by inserting a toothpick or knife.If comes out clean,place them in the cooling tray for 20-25 minutes.
Decorate it with your favourite frostings,fruits or simply eat them.I am sure you would love to give a try to this easy way of making tasty and gluten-free cake.